JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 57 



I have found this an especially favorable spring for bird obser- 

 vation. I have never seen so many species in the same period dur- 

 ing any previous year. 



D. W. Sweet. 



Phillips, May 10, 1908. 



FoxCROFT Notes. — Have found a scarcity of winter birds this 

 season, both in species and individuals. December 30, 1907, a 

 Brunnich's Murre was sent in to our local taxidermist from Sebois 

 Lake, where it was found dead and frozen into the ice. From 

 December 30, 1907, to January 27, 1908, during a very mild spell a 

 Robin was seen about town, but soon disappeared. January 9th, 

 a Song Sparrow was seen, and January 26th, four Crows were 

 reported, but disappeared with the return of colder weather. Feb- 

 ruary ist, the first flock of Pine Grosbeaks, eleven in number, ap- 

 peared, and the birds were quite common after that date until about 

 the middle of March, since then only an occasional individual being 

 seen. While here they fed very largely upon the frozen fruit of 

 the dwarf crab apple. 



The first flock of Snow Buntings was seen November 20th, but 

 only an occasional bird or two was noted later until February, 1908, 

 when they became fairly common. Redpolls and Goldfinches were 

 not seen in their usual abundance. Have seen no Crossbills this 

 winter. Hawk Owls have been shot occasionally, and there has 

 been the usual crop of Great Horned and Barred, with an occasional 

 Acadian, but no Richardson's. Have seen several Arctic Three- 

 toed Woodpeckers, while the Hairy and Downy species have been 

 seen in their usual abundance, but have not s^enpileatus this season, 

 which appears strange, as it is a rather common species usually. 



The Crows finally returned to stay March 6th. On the nth, 

 the first flock of Wild Geese passed over, and the 20th the first 

 Horned Larks were seen. This species usually winters with us. 

 March 23rd (to-day), the first Bronzed Grackles, four in number, 

 were seen. This constitutes my very meager records to date, but 

 I doubt not that in the near future we shall find our little feathered 



